Stage 4 Business Restrictions
On Monday 3 August the State Government made a series of announcements about how Stage 4 restrictions will affect businesses. This is in addition to the announcement of an 8pm – 5am stay at home curfew, and a 5km radius restriction on travel from home for shopping and essential services. These restrictions have been broken into three groups and any business that is able to remain open will now require a Covid-Safe Plan:
Group 1 – can continue to operate: Businesses such as supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle shops, petrol stations, banks, news agencies and post offices will continue operating as usual, along with frontline response workers.
Group 2 – required to close: From 11.59pm on 5 August, many businesses in industries including retail, some manufacturing and administration will need to close. Some will continue to operate in a limited capacity with contactless (click and collect) purchasing allowed.
Group 3 – reduced operations: Some businesses will be allowed to remain open and operate but at a greatly reduced capacity.
A full break down of industries that are permitted to keep operating is available to download from the DHHS Website but we have pulled out the main industries that make up the City of Melton economy as a brief summary for you below which includes – Construction; Retail Trade (Goods); Retail Trade (Services); Accommodation & Food Services; Transport, Postal & Warehousing.
Some of the key differences to earlier restriction levels are that all retailers that aren’t included in Group 1 will need to close unless they can provide a contactless pick-up or delivery option. Hairdressers and on-site real estate agents are some of the businesses that are no longer able to operate. The message is clear that if you are able to work from home you are expected to do so and a permit system has been introduced for staff employed in industries that need to travel during restrictions.
The Worker Permit Scheme came into effect at 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August. You can find more information and download the permit template on the Vic.gov website. Any employers that require staff to attend a work site must issues a Worker Permit to their employees who must carry the permit on them at all times. Penalties of up to $19,826 (for individuals) and $99,132 (for businesses) will apply to anyone who breaches the scheme requirements. There is also information and forms available for a Childcare Permit which will be required for employees that can’t supervise children while working from home and need to use a childcare or kindergarten service.
Any business that is able to operate that has five or more employees on site will require a Covid Safe Plan. This plan must be in in place and adhered to in order to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. You can access the necessary templates and information on Covid Safe Plans on the Business Victoria Website.
FAQ:
Some of the initial questions Council officers have received include:
Q: If I am delivering from my business to a customer (E.g., restaurant home delivery) am I able to go past the 5km radius
A: Yes, but you will need to obtain a permit to prove where you work and avoid fines.
Q: If I work in the construction industry (E.g. a domestic painter) am I able to still do work at residential addresses.
A: No. There is a short window of grace for jobs that are booked in already, but the directive is that only emergency repairs are permitted in private residential homes during this stage 4 lockdown.
Q: If I am a personal trainer can I continue to train 1-1?
A: No. This would open up the possibility of a trainer working with multiple people in potentially multiple locations so is not allowed under Stage 4 restrictions.
Further details and announcements are expected as the government and business works through the changes. For specific queries relating to your business, contact the Economic Development & Tourism team on 9747 7200 or go directly to the Victorian Government via Business Victoria on 13 22 15.
Stage 4 Industry Restrictions: Download the full list here.
Bruce Marshall
Coordinator Economic Development & Tourism